HIPAA Privacy Rule: What Healthcare Workers Need to Know

Course Description:

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA was enacted in 1996 to increase access to and the efficiency of the healthcare system in the United States. One very important aspect of HIPAA is its Privacy Rule, which protects individual’s medical records and other health-related information. This rule is especially important in the electronic age when so much information is readily available to so many. HIPAA requires that the Department of Health and Human Services publicize standards for the electronic exchange, privacy, and security of health information. Today, we’ll explain what the HIPAA Privacy Rule is, why it is important, and how it helps protect your personal health information as well as the health information of patients in your facility.

Course Duration: 30 minutes

Why “HIPAA Privacy Rule: What Healthcare Workers Need to Know” Matters:

 

At the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
  • Identify covered entities
  • Determine basic requirements of the rule
  • Follow policies and procedures to protect patients’ health information
  • Use the HIPAA Privacy Rule to protect your own health information

Key Points:

  • HIPAA is a federal law that limits the ability of a new employer plan to exclude coverage for preexisting conditions.
  • HIPAA provides additional opportunities to enroll in a group health plan if you lose other coverage or experience certain life events.
  • HIPAA prohibits discrimination against employees and their dependent family members based on any health factors they may have, including prior medical conditions, previous claims experience, and genetic information.
  • HIPAA protects the privacy of your medical records and other personal health information.
  • HIPAA gives you greater access to and control over your information.